Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Experiment, Commerce, Progress, War, Invention, Technology, Aeronautics

    Reflecting on the expensive battle between gun makers and shipbuilders for the strongest military invention, calls for the creation of 'an Island of Laptua' to save on costly 'Armstrong guns and Shoeburyness experiments'. Anticipates that the battle will result in the construction of a conical shot as large as the 'Big Pyramid' in Egypt. Believes the invention of a 'Flying Island' would end the battle for technological supremacy because instead of fighting with an army and a navy, the inhabitants of the island would simply need to drop material on their enemies. Goes on to suggest the need for 'an invention to annihilate an army at a [single] blow', which would be an unprecedented peace maker, while the knowledge that Britain had a 'Flying Island' would help prevent her being attacked.

See also:

PU1/42/15/8